Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has criticised President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the party’s campaign rally in Kaduna, questioning claims of widespread support ahead of the 2027 general election.
Sowore, in a post on his verified X handle on Saturday, accused the ruling party of attempting to portray the crowd at the rally as evidence of nationwide support for Tinubu.
He claimed that Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna, where the APC held its campaign flag-off, had a capacity of about 5,000 people.
According to him, supporters were transported from different parts of the country to fill the venue, arguing that the turnout should not be interpreted as proof of broad-based acceptance of the President.
“You packed 5,000 people in Kaduna and called it nationwide support? The APC and the Tinubu government want Nigerians to mistake a ‘packed’ stadium for nationwide support,” Sowore wrote.
He added that the stadium’s capacity was limited and alleged that attendees had been brought in from across the country to create the impression of a massive show of support.
The AAC candidate also expressed confidence that Tinubu would lose the 2027 presidential election, despite the gathering at the Kaduna rally.
The APC held the event as part of its mobilisation efforts for Tinubu’s re-election bid. The President attended alongside Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, APC governors, ministers, lawmakers and other party leaders.
Addressing supporters at the rally, Tinubu thanked them for attending and urged them to return him to office in 2027.
The President also defended his administration’s economic policies amid concerns over the rising cost of living and the economic difficulties facing many Nigerians.
Sowore’s comments came amid growing political exchanges between opposition figures and the ruling party as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
His allegations about the transportation of supporters and the stadium’s capacity were not independently established in the reports of his statement.
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